How to Select a New Kitten – A New Kitten Adoption Primer

Choosing a new kitten may not sound like a daunting task, but there are a few significant points to bear in mind before you head out to pick up kitty . If you have never owned a cat before, for example, you will need to do some research to find out what breeds are available ; basic daily Kitten Care ; how often they need grooming ; kitten vaccination recommendations and more. You also need to decide whether you are looking for a family pet, a cat for showing and breeding purposes, a longhaired or shorthaired variety, or a mixed breed. It's a good idea to figure these things out and do your homework before you venture out to choose your favorite furry friend.

If you decide on a pedigree kitten, you will obviously need to find local cat breeders that sell your chosen breed of kitten . If, however , you opt for a mixed breed, your local ASPCA, animal shelter or Cat Rescue is your best destination to find kittens for adoption.

There are pros and cons to owning either type of cat, but with pedigrees you will at least have a good idea of the cat’s eventual size and disposition. Either way, cat ownership has many rewards, so you really can't go wrong in inviting a feline friend to share your home. If you are going to be out at work all day, you may want to consider getting two kittens at the same time so that they can keep each other company while you are away.

When you go to view a kitten for the first time, you need to sit back and observe it for a short while. Try to find a cat or kitten that is friendly, outgoing and doesn't mind being held, touched or cuddled. It obviously takes time for a young animal to get used to someone new, but any kitten that appears to be unusually frightened by your presence, or very listless and sleepy, should be avoided as this could indicate ill health, neglect, or ill treatment of the kitten. If you are viewing several kittens at the same time, it is best to opt for the friendliest one, rather than the one that has the most appealing colour.   

Signs of a Healthy Cat or Kitten

A cat or kitten in good health should have the following qualities:

·    A glossy coat – bare patches, or dry, flaky skin could signal an infection, or parasite infestation.

·     Clear, bright eyes – watery eyes, a mucousy discharge or eyes that are partially closed can indicate an infection or other feline eye disorder .

·     Clean ears – a tar-like discharge could be a sign of ear-mite infestation, and a pus-like discharge could mean that the cat has a bacterial or yeast infection. (Although these problems are fairly easy to treat  and cure).

·     A cool and damp nose – sneezing or nasal discharge could indicate a respiratory infection, distemper, or worse.

·     Be active and alert – a very lethargic kitten could be suffering from Feline Leukemia or another serious feline infection , and it is possible that it could eventually spread to the other kittens in the litter.

·    Pale pink mouth and gums – no ulcers or sores should be present.

·     A clean bum – any staining or clingons on the fur in this area could indicate diarrhea .

Be sure to ask about the health history of the cat or kitten you intend to adopt. You want to know about any tests, vaccinations, deworming that the kitten may have had, and, if an adult cat, whether the cat has been spayed or neutered. However, you should still get your kitten checked over by a vet as soon as possible after bringing it home.

When you bring your kitten home, make sure that you have all the necessary equipment in place At the bare minimum, you'll need a litter tray and a supply of cat litter , some dry Cat Food, a few tins of wet cat food, a brush and some cat nail clippers. If you want to really put on the dog for your cat, you can provide a comfy cat bed, a scratching post, a supply of catnip, some unique kitten toys, a collar, and more. You should also keep your kitten indoors for a while too, until it has had any necessary vaccinations and got used to its new surroundings. If you already have any other cats at home, and your kitten’s past is not known, you may also need to keep your kitten isolated until any necessary tests have been carried out on it – otherwise it could spread a disease to your other cat/cats.  

Before long you will find that your new kitten begins to bond with you and comes to you when you call its name. Kittens are great fun to play with too, and they make the perfect lifelong companion for people of all ages.